Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) once again held its Graduation Ceremony for Undergraduate and Applied Bachelor Programs for Period III of 2026 at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (May 21).
In this graduation period, UGM graduated a total of 1,762 students, comprising 1,644 undergraduate graduates and 118 applied bachelor graduates, including five international students. Graduates participating in the second-day ceremony came from the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Geography, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Agriculture, and the Vocational College.
Overall, this graduation period recorded a positive trend in study efficiency, with undergraduate students completing their studies in an average of 3 years and 11 months. The graduates also demonstrated strong academic performance, achieving an average GPA of 3.6.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, congratulated the graduates on completing their undergraduate and applied bachelor studies in her remarks. On the occasion, the Rector encouraged the new graduates to build collaborative networks through the Gadjah Mada Alumni Family (Kagama) and contribute to the implementation of the university’s Tri Dharma missions alongside their alma mater.
According to Professor Ova Emilia, being a UGM graduate is not merely about obtaining a diploma and securing employment, but also about becoming individuals with strong character who can make meaningful contributions to society.
“Through Kagama, you can build collaborative networks and contribute to Tri Dharma activities together with your beloved alma mater. Being a UGM graduate is not simply about earning a diploma and achieving career success, but also about becoming individuals with character who positively impact society,” she emphasized.
Professor Ova Emilia stated that current technological developments and global dynamics require adaptive cross-sector collaboration. Therefore, UGM remains strongly committed to advancing scientific development, competencies, skills, and character building among students.
“These capacities provide graduates with valuable preparation for broader career opportunities. The goal is not merely to become employees, but also to create jobs, strengthen entrepreneurial mindsets and character, and expand collaborative networks with industry, including developing creative industries to support national independence,” she explained.
Chair of Legal Affairs at the Central Board of the Gadjah Mada Alumni Family (Kagama), Danang Girindrawardana, also highlighted the intense competition in the job market amid dynamic global economic conditions. Referring to national data, Danang noted that the open unemployment rate among bachelor’s degree graduates remains at 5.39 percent, with the greatest challenge being how to optimally absorb graduates into the workforce in their first year after graduation. He encouraged students to master additional skills beyond academic knowledge as a competitive advantage.
“Every year, we compete alongside 2.99 million graduates. Everything you learn on campus must be complemented by additional skills, such as communication and networking abilities, to become entrepreneurs or professionals,” he explained.
Danang also reminded UGM alumni to maintain a critical perspective toward government policies and safeguard the good name of their alma mater through meaningful dedication.
“Safeguard UGM’s reputation, because UGM’s reputation is built by alumni who work and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a graduate representative from the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), Tegar Rinang Pratama, acknowledged the many challenges encountered during university life and reminded fellow graduates to remain humble and prioritize empathy in the workplace.
“Because the world does not only need intelligent people, but also people willing to listen to and understand others. May the knowledge we have gained continue to be reflected in our actions, in the way we treat others, and in our courage to continue contributing to society,” Tegar concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Firsto